The test begins now...

I thought I was smart
I thought I was right
I thought it better not to fight
I thought there was a virtue, in always being cool
¬Flaming Lips

7/22

International Entertainment Law Final was harder than the Professor had led us to believe, but still there was nothing on it we hadn't covered and I was well prepared. Plus its curved so I'm confident I'll do well. Grabbed lunch with JC at The Court (pub). Study, Study, Study. Break. Break for Blog. Back to studying Media Law. Dinner. Study. Bed.

7/23

International Comparative Media Law's final was much more straightforward and exactly what the professor had led us to believe going in to the exam. I wish I could have had a little more time, but I know I'll do well. After the exam I spoke with Dean Tyler (the program's dean and the school's ex-dean) and he explained to me that if I transferred the 6 credits earned here wouldn't be factored into the number of allowable transfer credits. So it looks like I'll be going back to WNEC this fall (and be able to take up to 11 credits) and still have a shot at transferring to Southwestern in the spring, which is my plan. After class I packed and napped. Then the program organized a farewell dinner at the Medieval Banquet. I came back to College Hall afterwards and passed out.

7/24

Woke up. Showered. Checked out. Split a cab with someone to Heathrow (Terminal 1).

[THE TEST IS OVER]

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day...

You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way

Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town

Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

¬Pink Floyd

7/17/10

Studied like a mofo all day and night. At night I went to see Inception at Leicester Square at the Odeon Theatre which is known as the nicest cinema in the UK and houses every major premier screening and I rightfully so. The place was nicer than some Broadway theatres I've been to. You had to by assigned seats in advance, everything is carpeted and upholstered, there was a balcony, a curtain for the screen, Romanesque statues on the wall, I could go on. It was more of an event than a night out. Not to mention the film was absolutely incredible. I was thoroughly captivated for every second. I go home and manage to review one more chapter (on foreign entertainers getting US visas) before going to bed.

7/18/10

Breakfast. Study, Study, Study. Updated blog. Thoroughly enjoying Southwestern's courses starting to consider a transfer.

7/19/10

Class. Spoke to dean of the program and professor Biederman about transferring, which is becoming more and more tempting. After Media Law I went to lunch with Professor Youm, his wife and some students from class to Asadal (Korean place from my birthday). Really an incredible professor and an impressive scholar also very kind to take us out to eat. Studied all afternoon and evening. Met a few kids at the Marlborough Arms (perhaps for the last time) for a pint before going to bed.

7/20

Class. Study,Study,Study, for 8 hours with a study group. 7/21 Last day of class. Really going to miss classmates, professors, college hall and London when the program is over. But no time to think about that now. Got to study. During a study break I noticed that the dorm had a garden-patio area in the back. Really nice, only wish I had discovered it earlier.

Some photos of college hall and the university of London...

The refectory (cafeteria)

The Courtyard I walked through everyday to get to class (not always this sunny though)

Brunei Gallery-Where classes were held

Professor Youm

The lounge on floor -1

The mate was a mighty sailing man...

The skipper brave and sure.

Five passengers set sail that day

For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

7/16/10

Reviewed notes and readings for International Entertainment law and Media law. Decided to take another free 3 hour walking tour from the same company that offered the one I took in Edinburgh. We met at Wellington Arch across the street from Hyde Park. Learned about Sir Arthur Welsley and Earl Grey as we passed there homes and from there headed through Green Park along constitutional hill to Buckingham Palace. Apparently Green Park used to be filled with flowers but the queen had them all cut down in the sixteenth century because the king would go sleep with prostitutes after saying he was going on a walk to smell the flowers. Saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (which was a madhouse) while the tour guide explained the significance of the ceremony. Apparently the keys are carried by royal guards from St. James Palace to Buckingham Palace as some kind of outdated security measure. Learned a little about the queen and the palace's history and about the only successful break in. Apparently if the queen lives until 2015 she will be the oldest reigning monarch in English history.

On a side note, I really don't understand this obsession with the queen. Why have a head of state who has a meaningless title? Who wants their tax dollars going to some family living an outrageously extravagant lifestyle? But I digress...

Next we saw St. James Palace, which looks like an old industrial brick building. We then walked along Pall Mall (where the queen and royal family go shopping) and passed a Crimean War memorial that had a great statue of Florence Nightingale who I never knew became a politician after her nursing career and lobbied parliament for more sanitary medical facilities. Onwards we went to Trafalgar Square where you can see a new statue of Nelson's ship in a bottle as well as the national gallery. Also, today there are far fewer pigeons in Trafalgar Square due to a politician who saw them as a nuisance and tried several ways to get rid of them but eventually ended up putting contraceptives in their bird-food. Pretty cruel. We then walked under Admiralty Arch to Horse Guard Parade where you can see where the royal horses are kept. The tour then winded its way to Parliament Square where you could see St Stephen's Clock Tower (not Big Ben which is the name of the clapper inside the bell), Parliament, the House of Lords and Westminster Abbey (which is from 1048 and since William the Conqueror in 1066 all coronations, royal weddings and funerals have been held here) all of which no trip to London would be complete without seeing. All the while we were being told the stories behind these places. Most interesting was that of the failed Gunpowder Plot.

I went back and studied for what remained of the afternoon. That evening I went to Notting Hill and had some great Mexican food at a place called Taqueria and danced the night away at the Notting Hill Arts Club.

It was a good day.

Outside Buckingham Palace

Nelson's ship in a bottle

Westminster Abbey

St Stephen's clocktower

Parliament

Alone here in the kitchen...

I feel there's somethin' missin'

I beg for some forgiveness

But beggin's not my business

And she won't write a letter

Although I always tell her

And so it's my assumption

I'm really up the junction

¬Squeeze

(Just happened to be in my head that day)

7/15/10

Cant believe this trip is winding down. This upcoming weekend will be my last one abroad. Today was a standard day of school. We read a great case about Duff beer (from the Simpsons) and whether it was considered a character eligible for trademark protection or a prop. Later that afternoon I decided to take the Picadilly line to Knightsbridge and wander around Harrod's. The place is out of control. The Bakery was like walking through a fog of yum. The Charcuterie and Fromagerie made Zabar's look like a hobo. The most interesting thing I saw for sale was a bed of nails.

Harrod's

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Memorial of Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed

Stuffed Animal Carousel in the toys section

Model horse in Sportswears

Your mother she's an heiress, owns a block in Saint John's Wood

And your father'd be there with her

If he only could

But don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire

¬Rolling Stones

7/14/10 Continued

From Greenwich I catch the Jubilee line to St. John's Wood to cross the famed Abbey Road, made famous by the cover to a Beatles album that shares its name. As I approached the street I heard Penny Lane playing from someone's phone, boombox or something.

Having your picture taken crossing the street isn't as easy as you might think because the road is still very much in use and traffic is rather heavy (or at least it was when I went). After 5-7 minutes of waiting I managed to get the shot I needed. I have slight sympathy for those who live here and are trying to get home, but seriously they cant get too upset. They knew what they were getting into when they decided to drive this way. I then got a picture of Abbey Road Studios, this time crossing the street for real, and added my signature to the thoroughly vandalized (with love) wall in front of it. If you ever visit look for it, that is if the rain hasn't washed it away or it hasn't been painted over. It is exactly 42 poles (in the gate) to the right from the left driveway entrance of the studio (if you are facing the studio). It is just to the right of the webcam. Ironically, I had the above cited Rolling Stones song stuck in my head because of the tube stop. Next time I visit I'd like to bring an iPod, sit on a bench, and listen to the whole album, while watching people cross the road in a Frogger-like fashion, trying to get across.

I got back and went out with some classmates to Leicester Square. We had dinner at Biagio an Italian place by Chinatown then drinks at O'Neils. I'm really going to miss the London nightlife when I'm gone.

It Isn't as simple as you'd think

As sure as night is dark and day is light

I keep you on my mind both day and night

And happiness I've known proves that it's right

Because you're mine, I walk the line

¬Johnny Cash

7/14/10

Today we had a guest speaker in entertainment law. The senior production executive of the British Film Commission. She works with US studios who want to film in the UK by setting up permits, tax waivers, immigration forms, and acting as a liaison to other European film commissions. After class I went to Greenwich using the lightrail for the first time. Very easy to connect to and offered some views of the outskirts of London. I got off at the Cutty Sark and on my way to Greenwich park stopped at Greenwich market and dined on some hand made La-Mian (hand tossed noodles) and BBQ beef.

Next I went to the National Maritime Museum, which had the look and feel of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum except for ships. Very cool exhibit on toy boats and Admiral Nelson's uniform were the highlights. Amusingly, the toy boats in the gift shop had a sign that said, "this is not a toy boat but rather an authentic replica for toy boat collectors, must be 14 or older to buy."

I head across the park to the Royal Greenwhich Observatory where the line to take your picture on the Prime Meridian was close to twenty minutes long, but well worth it. I wish I had come here with more time to explore the many exhibits further but as this is the home of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) they were extremely punctual about closing. Though Einstein proved that all time is relative, all time on earth is measured relative to the longitude of zero degrees, which is defined by the crosshairs of the great transit circle telescope in the meridian building of the royal observatory. Pretty powerful for a line.

Fresh noodles at Greenwich Market

My favorite boat at the Maritime Museum

Straddling the Prime Meridian

Courtyard of The Royal Greenwich Observatory

View of Greenwich Park coming down the hill from the observatory with the Maritime museum behind me

You say it's your birthday

It's my birthday too, yeah

They say it's your birthday

We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you!

¬Beatles

7/13/10

My day started with an excellent present from Professor Biederman-Class was cancelled. I realized today on the way to my second class that this would be the first time I celebrate my birthday with classmates. It's nice, like I've been missing out on something my whole life. After class I went to the Globe Theatre to catch the matinee of Henry VIII. On the way I got lost and asked a cabbie for directions and without any insistence from me he offered to give me the ride for free. He didn't know it was my birthday until I was in the cab and I told him, and he wouldn't even take a tip! Its a good thing he gave me a ride too because I don't know if I would have made it to the shoe on time otherwise. What a nice guy. When I got to the theater the seats were all sold out. So I went outside to make a phone call and look for scalpers but to no avail. I decide I'll have to stand in the pit but as I went to buy the ticket 3 seats opened up. The one I was able to buy was in the mezzanine, center-most section, front row, aisle. What luck, couldn't have asked for a better seat. I actually had better seats than my classmates who bought tickets in advance. It really was an incredible view but the theatre is so small that there really isn't a bad seat (unless you have an obstructed view). The show was quite the spectacle. Actors were walking around the standing audience in the pit, and the costume and sets kept me mesmerized when I couldn't follow the Old-English dialogue. Seriously, someone needs to teach these people to spake anglish!

Later in the evening I went out with my media law professor and some classmates to Asadal, which claims to be the best Korean restaurant in Europe. Where I had a delicious meal of Korean Barbecue (cooked on the table) and had my first taste of plum wine (strong stuff). After dinner I went out with some friends from the program but it being a Tuesday night most of the bars were closed (or at least in this neighborhood they were). We did manage to have a few drinks at Frevd which was way to hipster for its own good and played blaring loud music in what felt like a bohemian concrete basement. It was a good time.

Thanks to all for the kind birthday wishes. Sorry for those whose calls went to voicemail but know that I had a great time celebrating with incredible people.

They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table

They’ll stone ya when you are young and able

They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to make a buck

They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say, “good luck"

¬Bob Dylan

7/12/10

Woke up, had breakfast and went on a three hour free walking tour recommended by the hostel. The tour guide was incredible, had a lot of charisma, and best of all picked me up at the hostel. Our first stop was the City Chambers built on a very steep slope (in fact most of the building is not visible from the main entrance). We learned about the history of the four tribes who inhabited Scotland (Vikings, Celts, Scots, Britons) and how they were united under William Wallace to overthrow English rule. We wandered down the Royal Mile and saw the merkat building, St Giles cathedral and the heart of hibernia all while learning there place in Scottish history along the way. Next we saw the Writer's Museum where we learned about Scotland's 3 most famous writers: Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island), and Robert Burns (Auld Lang Syne). I really looked out with an incredible tour guide he knew so much about the city's often gruesome history. Next we saw Edinburgh Castle which rests atop a volcanic cliff, we learned of the few successful sieges and how the castle houses the second oldest crown jewels in the world and the stone of destiny (more later).

Later we ended up in Grassmarket (where I saw the world cup last night) famous for being the historic selling point of hay and crops but also more interestingly as a den of sin in the heart of the city. Some of the more interesting stories included the one on Burke and Hare and Maggie Dickinson. We stopped for a break and I tried an Irn Bru-the most popular Scottish soft drink which outsells coke and pepsi in Scotland and is an orange creamsicle-like soda alleged to have the ability to cure hangovers. Next we strolled through Greyfriar's Cemetery home of many famous graves as well as massive pits for victims of the plague. The Cemetery was located right behind the Greyfriars Cathedral where the National Covenant declaring independence from England was drafted in 1638 and happens to be one of the first churches ever to have an organ (the place really did have amazing acoustics). The history lesson on Edinburgh's gruesome past continued as I heard tales of grave-robbers selling bodies to the anatomy department of Edinburgh University (a huge problem), some graves even had cast iron locks completely covering them that were hundreds of years old. Otherwise if you couldn't afford such a lock you had to take turns watching the grave all night-which is where the term graveyard shift comes from. Eventually gaverobbing became obsolete when a law was passed that said if you could not afford a burial your body was donated to the school. From the graveyard you can also see the George Harriot school which served as the inspiration for Hogwarts and is visible from the Elephant Room which is where JK Rowling penned the first two Harry Potter books. Some other famous graves included the original editor of Encyclopedia Britanica, many of the Covenanters who declared independence from England, and Auld Jock (who the pie shop from last night was named after) a very famous nightwatchman who kept out many graverobbers, and the only grave for an animal-that of greyfriars bobby Auld Jock's dog who sat by his masters grave for 14 years protecting it from potential robbers. There's even a pub named after the dog and a statue for him at the cemetery's entrance.

We headed towards Nor Loch a former sewage pit that today has been converted to the city's largest park along the way passing the home of Deacon Brodie (who served as the inspiration for the protagonist in Jekyll and hide). After we strolled through the park we finally sat down and were told the story of the Stone of Destiny (which I highly suggest you read) and the tour was over. Really an absolutely incredible tour I couldn't believe it was free and was more than happy to tip.

I decided to go visit some of the free museums that we had passed earlier on the tour. First, I went to the National Scottish Gallery which boasted many great works from different eras and painters(Boticelli, Raphael, Degas) that you would expect in any European museum. But what I'll remember it most for is its bathroom. By far the greatest one I've used throughout Europe and worth the visit to the Scottish gallery by itself alone, but the nice paintings along the way were a great bonus. The gallery was great too and has the largest collection of Scottish art in the world (naturally). Afterwards, I head to the Elephant Room where I have a small pot of Assam Tea. I can see how someone could right a book here. I had to rush because my next stop was closing soon but the place is well decorated with hundred of elephant tchotchkes. Next I headed to the National museum of Scotland where among other things I saw a great exhibit on the history of means of communication (from horseback and morse code to satellite phones), an awesome exhibit on all the ways recorded music has been played over time, and best of all the oldest complete chess set in the world. From the museum I picked up my bags at the hostel and headed to platform 11 at Waverly train station in Edinburgh to catch the train to King's Cross in London.

Our incredile tourguide-Nathan

The Hub-A former church that is no a TKTS-type ticket retailer, cafe, and great example of Scottish architechture among other things

That's Edinburgh Castle in the Background

Iron lock on a grave in Greyfriars

Scottish National Gallery

I lit up in a fusion of flash...

Between my lighter and a neon sign,

Yellow and blurred i wanna believe what i heard

Wasn't created in my mind.

¬Midnight Brigade

7/11/10

Woke up and had breakfast at the Columba hotel overlooking the waterfront, checked out, put our bags in the car, and began walking around Oban where the rain was outrageous. Which wouldn't be so bad except that the strong ocean currents kept blowing sideways giving the rain a particular bite and making staying dry became an exercise in futility. Gotta love Scotland in the summertime. Eventually after we had a cup of tea and dry off (somewhat) we head to the tour of the Oban distillery where I wish they would've allowed pictures. The Oban distillery is from 1794 and one of the smallest ones in Scotland many spirits were only available at the distillery itself, though the tour focused on the process of making the 14 year single malt. The only ingredients used are water malted barley and yeast, and there are four key distinct flavors that make Oban scotch unique-a smokiness created by adding peat in the malting process, fresh sea salt here from Oban, orange peel and honey. The tour took us through every step of the process: malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and maturing. At the end of the tour we try a few Scotches (one which was pulled straight from a cask), later do some food pairing (ginger particularly brought out the flavors in the 14 yr old single malt), and end with a traditional Scottish toast (Slachie Va!). Then I had some fresh haddock chowder at Ee-Usk overlooking the Oban waterfront before leaving Oban for Glasgow.

After a windy (and slightly nauseating) ride back from the highlands I was dropped off at Glasgow city centre because Will and Latha were driving back to London and I was going to spend a day in Edinburgh. As I find my way to the train station I look around and find it hard to believe that i was just here about 36 hours ago. I board the train and settle in for the fifty minute ride to Edinburgh and as soon as the captain finished making the announcements you could hear Amazing Grace being played on the bagpipes over the speakers. So nice. When I arrived I checked into St Christopher's which was right across the street from the train station (how convenient is that?) and then make my way down the windy streets of Edinburgh. I ended up at the grassmarket area and had dinner at Auld Jock's Pie Shop where (you guessed it) they serve pies. I had a haggis pie and then went to Biddy Mulligan's to watch the World Cup. The place was packed to the brim but the excitement is palpable. So I get as comfortable as I can order a Budweiser (cuz I'm startin' to feel a wee bit homesick). No team really played that well in my opinion but Spain was playing like they wanted it more and I guess deserved to win. QUE VIVA ESPANA!!!!

Oban's North Pier when we arrived

View from my hotel room window in Oban

Oban Distillery

Train from Glasgow to Edinburgh

My hostel in Edinburgh

If you go down in the streets today, baby, you better...

You better open your eyes.

Folk down there really don't care, really don't care, don't care , really don't , which, which way the pressure lies,

So I've decided what I'm gonna do now.

So I'm packing my bags for the Misty Mountains.

¬Led Zeppelin

7/10/10

After breakfast and a crazy morning of getting the car to "national tyres", I made my way to the gondola that takes you to the top of Aonach Mor. On the way I noticed that this is far enough away from the major cities that all the signs have to be in English and Gaelic. The brief (10 minute) gondola ride to the was terrifying. The whole time you were dangling and rocking. By the time my ears popped we were barely half way there. Aonach Mor is 4006 feet of lush green moss-like grass with streams and waterfalls that seem to come out of nowhere and is in the same mountain range as Ben Nevis the tallest mountain in the UK. 'Tis a wee bit chilly though. Except for a brief pause the gondola made it to the top with no trouble at all.

Side note: I failed to mention earlier that yesterday I had originally planned on leaving Will and Latha and making my own journey to the Isle of Skye and Inverness while they did Ben Nevis and Iona but it turned out that the train from Glagow to Skye would have gotten me there at a time that would be too late to check in so I stuck with them and am glad i did. But I was just thinking how different this trip could've been were I allowed to check in at Skye.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Having arrived at the top of Aonach Mor I am at a loss on how to describe this place. First thing I noticed was how soft and spongey the grass feels. From the drop off point I followed the footpath to Meall Beag for the views of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eli. As I head down the path I noticed all the misty opaque clouds that make it near impossible to see the mountaintops. Along the way you can see streams and waterfalls just coming out of the grass, there was constant trickling water heading downhill. Meall Beag viewpoint was unbelievable. It reminded me of just how high up I was. After taking in the vistas I turned around and went back to where I started from and take the other footpath to Sgurr Finnisg Aig. This hike was much steeper by comparison though well worth the view.

From there I turned around and headed back down the gondola to the bottom of the mountain, wondering what this place must look like in the winter. From there I went to pick up the car and had dinner at the Ben Nevis Inn where I had a delicious burger with fresh Scottish goat cheese. After supper we drove to the Columba hotel in Oban (thanks mom) where along the way I saw my first ever a highland cow a strange animal that looks like a yak with large antler-like horns. The hotel was in a great location right on the North Pier of Oban though it was quite dreary when we arrived. I put my things down and tuned into the Uruguay-Germany match which was a very exciting and entertaining game to watch up until the last second, but a German win was almost inevitable. Regardless, the tournament must go on and so must my trip, looking forward to spending time tomorrow in Oban-where the highlands meet the islands.

Noo I've heard men complain of the jobs they are dain...

When they're hawking the coal, or diggin the drain.

But whatever they are, there is none that compare

Wi manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

The streets of the toon were all kivvered aroon

Wi' stuff that was colourful, gowden and broon,

It was put there, of course, by a big Clydesdale horse!

And they called it manyura, manyura manyah!

I followed its track wi a shovel and sack,

And as often as no wi a pain in me back.

It was all for the rent, and the beautiful scent

Of manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

But I'm feelin fu sore for my job's taken o'er

And everything noo is mechanical power

And theres naething for me but the sweet memory

Of manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

¬Matt McGinn

7/9/10

Within twenty minutes one of those forewarned rocks had jutted out just enough into the road and with such subtlety that will ran it over without seeing it, though Latha saw it there wasn't enough time to react. I was in the backseat and couldn't see anything but I heard that unmistakable, POP! So we pull into the first place we see ("the world famous Drover's Inn) and it turns out our front left tire was as flat as a pancake. We go to change the tire, pop the trunk, and sure enough like some Hitchcock film (or perhaps it was more like Harold and Kumar) the spare tire is nowhere to be found. We call the Scottish equivalent of the AAA (provided by the rental car company) and they tell us that, they can have a guy out here in two hours. He won't be able to fix it tonight, but he'll be able to tow us to our final destination (Ben Nevis hotel (named after the tallest mountain in the UK) in Fort Williams).where the car can be fixed in the morning. All the while, I am off in the distance taking pictures of the gorgeous gorges of the Scottish Highlands which I am able to finally capture now that we have stopped.

As I came back from taking pictures i notice a group of Scottish men wearing traditional clothes (kilts and such). So we go in and discover a 300 year old cottage/pub/hotel from 1705. This place is as authentic as it gets (best I can tell). There is sawdust on the floor, people are here with there dogs, all the furniture is made of faded wood, the walls are a patchwork of different stones, the place is heated by fireplace, lit by candles in old jars of scotch and a folk band is playing tonight.

SERIOUSLY IF YOU ARE EVER GO TO SCOTLAND TRY TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE DROVER'S INN.

I cozy up to a pint of McEwans, a creamy Scottish ale that reminds me of an Irish carbomb (and just might be my favorite beer of the trip). For dinner I had Haggis (sheep's heart, liver, and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours) with Neeps (mashed turnips) and Tatties (mashed potatoes) on the side. It was absolutely delicious. So much better than I expected and its ingredients would suggest, I encourage you all to try it next chance you get. The neeps and tatties were simply delicious as well. So after dinner with nothing but time to kill and a tow-truck as our designated driver we began to sample some of this nation's eponymous spirit, scotch. First we tried Knockando a single malt scotch whiskey aged 12 years, oh yeah.

The band began to play and it was just great folk music (but to be honest listening to anything would've been perfect just then). Check out Whiterose if you can. Next we tried Tobermory a single malt scotch whiskey aged ten years from the Isle of Mull. Delicious. Made even better by Whiterose playing in the background. They sang folk songs about Caledonia, Andy McCloud (some soccer player), House of Mcdonald, Ballad of the Highlandman and more. Really good stuff. Everyone is stomping their feet, clapping their hands, the dogs are barking, really a site to be seen.

It was around that time that our tow truck arrived. Fortunately, he let us go in and enjoy the show a little longer while he readied the car for towing (he was a superb driver I don't know how he managed to maneuver those roads while sharing stories of the Glasgow-Edinburgh rivalry)Inside we had our last scotch of the evening-Laphroaig, a single malt scotch whiskey aged ten years from the isle of Islay which is famous for the high levels of peet they use in the distilling process which gives their scotch a very smokey flavor (a little too smokey if you ask me). By the way, scotch is so cheap here. I estimate this would cost up to 6 times as much back home. By 10:33 we begrudgingly left the Drover's Inn and ride off into the orange-purple-highland-sunset in a tow truck the size of a tank, admiring every inch of the way.

Final note about the car: No need to worry, Will and Latha had the foresight to purchase the window and tire insurance. All was good.

The moment when we realized we had no spare

The World Famous Drover's Inn

Me

Whiterose

I still don't know how our tow truck driver managed to drive this along the narrow highland roads